CARRIE PILBY review

So, just a heads up. This specific review was originally written at a time when I didn’t count on falling behind on reviews, so my solution was to cram them into a single post. However, I hated the way they turned out, so now I’m putting them into their own reviews. In short, this review is going to be crazy short. With that said, let’s carry on.

Director: Susan Johnson (stuff I’ve either never seen or heard of)
Writer: Kara Holden (MIDDLE SCHOOL [2016])
Composer: Michael Penn (BOOGIE NIGHTS [1997], and TV shows GIRLS and MASTERS OF SEX)
Cinematographer: Gonzalo Amat (PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE MARKED ONES [2014], THE DEVIL INSIDE [2012], and TV show THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE)

This is my honest opinion of: CARRIE PILBY

(SUMMARY)

Carrie Pilby (Bel Powley) is a genius who went to college as a teenager, and graduated before turning eighteen. But because of the high IQ, she feels detached from everyone around her, questioning the reason why they do the things they do, forgoing all relationships of any kind, and almost refusing to leave her apartment. The only place she really does go is to her therapist’s office to talk to Dr. Petrov (Nathan Lane), an old friend of her estranged father’s (Gabriel Byrne). In order to help her reconnect with the people around her, she’s given a small list of things to accomplish to give her something to relate to those around her, like owning a pet, making friends, and possibly go on a date.

(REVIEW)

I liked it. It’s by no means original. After all, yet another movie about a person who on this quirkier level of thinking that makes for awkward interactions with others, but I think there’s just enough to make it above average and worth checking out.

Powley really gives this performance her all and she carries the film very well, perfectly blending comedy and drama, vulnerability and toughness, and innocent and worldly as the scene needs. Whether due to natural talent or works that well with the director, I can’t say, but either way I’d love to see more of her work in the future. Lane and Byrne are also pretty good. Lane’s comedic timing is exceptional as always and Byrne is great as this uncertain father who tries to be great for his daughter, but screws up at almost every turn. In fact, even though half of their interactions between each other are over the phone, their Powley and Byrne are great together. Oh and this took me by surprise, Colin O’Donoghue is in this movie! The moment he came on screen and was all like, “My name is Professor Harrison,” my first thought was, “Fuck you! You’re Captain Hook, so get over it! Stop fucking with my perception of reality!” The comedy works, the drama works, most everything about it works. The only thing that really holds it back from being truly good and memorable is that it really is just another one of these stories that hits all the beats you’d think it would, making for zero surprises, a few clichés, and predictability. She meets a boy she doesn’t like at first, but it’s obvious they’re going to hook-up later. She’s thinks her intelligence elevates her, but eventually realizes that being smart doesn’t mean she can’t relate to people. Not to mention there’s an underage sex scene that is handled ridiculously poorly. Don’t worry, it’s not graphic and Powley is of age, duh, but there’s no consequences for that character and leaves a pretty rotten taste in the mouth.

In any case, it won’t be for everyone, especially if you’re looking for a more original take on this kind of story. But if you don’t mind, I think it’s worth checking out for the most part. The acting is really good, the writing is solid, most of the characters work, it’s only problem is that it’s safe and nothing new.